Japanese Festival (1909) | BFI National Archive

A vibrant festival with parades of fishermen and geisha celebrates the 50th anniversary of the opening of Yokohama Port. While being watched by a huge crowd, various people cheerfully parade through the streets of Yokohama. A festive atmosphere is prevalent. In a parade that imitates a traditional state procession, the marchers are seen wearing comical costume wigs to represent the shaven head of samurai with its chonmage topknot. The specific locations in Yokohama have been identified as Fukutomi-cho and Sumiyoshi-cho, within walking distance of each other. The Port of Yokohama holds a significant position in Japanese history. Over 200 years of Japan’s isolation from foreign countries was broken when US Commodore Matthew C Perry arrived with his warships at Uraga, south of Yokohama, in 1853. In 1859, the Port of Yokohama was opened in response to foreign pressure to open the country to international trade. The opening of the port heralds for Japan both the end of its feudal era and the beginning of its modernity. (Kosuke Fujiki) Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetotheBFI Claim an extended BFI Player Subscription free trial (UK only) - subscribe using code BFIYOUTUBE: http://theb.fi/player-subscription Watch more on BFI Player: http://player.bfi.org.uk/ Like us on Facebook:   / britishfilminstitute   Follow us on Instagram:   / britishfilminstitute   Follow us on Twitter:   / bfi